After technology and education, Shiv Nadar-promoted HCL Corporation on Thursday forayed into the healthcare segment with the launch of HCL Avitas as the first subsidiary of HCL Healthcare in collaboration with US-based John Hopkins Medicine International.

HCL Corp has created an equity pool of Rs 1,000 crore to invest in the business under which it will initially setup a network of multi-speciality clinics across the country.

To start with, the clinics will offer out-patient care in asthma, diabetes, dermatology, gastroenterology and dentistry as in-house specialities.

The clinics will have basic diagnostics- radiology, pathology and pharmacy services.

The company has already acquired two clinics run by Bharat Family Clinics in Noida and Gurgaon.

“Our target is the middle class and we will also offer video consulting at our clinics. We plan to treat 50,000 patients on a daily basis. In the next 5 years, we expect to have over 1,500 doctors in our employ across various cities in the country,” said Harish Natarajan, chief executive officer, HCL Avitas.

HCL Healthcare will eventually operate across the healthcare services spectrum, from clinics and hospitals to diagnostics and analytics.

Natarajan added that the electronic healthcare records maintained by HCL Avitas can be accessed by patients and their relatives to video consultations with specialists, would set HCL's venture apart.

The $6.7 billion American health enterprise will offer consultation on training, clinical best practices, quality, safety standards and getting a second opinion, among others.

“This is not a revenue sharing model and may explore opportunities to acquire clinics going ahead. However, there is no plan to get listed on the stock exchanges in the first 10 years,” added Shiv Nadar, founder and chairman HCL and Shiv Nadar Foundation.

HCL group’s healthcare venture was started by it taking a stake in Bharat Family Clinic, which was then renamed HCL Avitas. HCL Healthcare's vice chairman is Shikhar Malhotra who is married to HCL founder Nadar’s daughter, Roshni.